2. 2012

St Kitts in October

After being unexpectedly marooned on the neighbouring island of Antigua for 24 hours by a tropical storm, I continued towards St Kitts when the airport opened once again. I'd been asked to interview for a position there at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.
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  • They put me up in the Marriott Resort, which I thought was awfully good of them. That's the biggest building visible here from the Southern Peninsula.

    They put me up in the Marriott Resort, which I thought was awfully good of them. That's the biggest building visible here from the Southern Peninsula.

  • An auspicious start, although I barely had time to use the pool. I wasn't really on holiday, unfortunately...

    An auspicious start, although I barely had time to use the pool. I wasn't really on holiday, unfortunately...

  • This cool replica of one of the first European ships to discover the Caribbean is behind the Marriott lobby.

    This cool replica of one of the first European ships to discover the Caribbean is behind the Marriott lobby.

  • Unfortunately the Marriott beach was still suffering the effects of the storm.

    Unfortunately the Marriott beach was still suffering the effects of the storm.

  • Thankfully the beach eventually recovered. This is a dawn view of the magical Southern Peninsula.

    Thankfully the beach eventually recovered. This is a dawn view of the magical Southern Peninsula.

  • In due course I made it out to Ross U School of Vet Med, for 2 days of interviews, which must have gone well as I was offered the position, to my great surprise.

    In due course I made it out to Ross U School of Vet Med, for 2 days of interviews, which must have gone well as I was offered the position, to my great surprise.

  • Meanwhile I decided to stay a few more days and work on various publications and projects. This was the view from my room - tantalisingly including the pool, which I didn't have time to use until the very last day.

    Meanwhile I decided to stay a few more days and work on various publications and projects. This was the view from my room - tantalisingly including the pool, which I didn't have time to use until the very last day.

  • But I did make lots of friends!

    But I did make lots of friends!

  • This is Eddy, the husband of one of the faculty members. Given that beard I'm convinced he secretly plays guitar for ZZ Top. He very kindly gave me an extensive tour of the island.

    This is Eddy, the husband of one of the faculty members. Given that beard I'm convinced he secretly plays guitar for ZZ Top. He very kindly gave me an extensive tour of the island.

  • First, however, we had to get away from the hotel, which wasn't always easy. This was what convinced me to buy the 4WD I now own. That's part of our world class golf course, underwater to the left.

    First, however, we had to get away from the hotel, which wasn't always easy. This was what convinced me to buy the 4WD I now own. That's part of our world class golf course, underwater to the left.

  • Heading up to the pass leading to the Southern Peninsula

    Heading up to the pass leading to the Southern Peninsula

  • The road through the pass cuts through this canyon. A boulder half the size of a car (and many smaller) had fallen in, and the road was closed. This bulldozer had been sent up high to clear the rubble. There's a different attitude toward health and safety here...

    The road through the pass cuts through this canyon. A boulder half the size of a car (and many smaller) had fallen in, and the road was closed. This bulldozer had been sent up high to clear the rubble. There's a different attitude toward health and safety here...

  • But an alternate route was open and finally we made the pass. The awesome Southern Peninsula stretched away some 10 km into the distance, with the Atlantic Ocean on the left, and Caribbean Sea on the right. One of the world's best jogging routes - if you can stand the heat!!

    But an alternate route was open and finally we made the pass. The awesome Southern Peninsula stretched away some 10 km into the distance, with the Atlantic Ocean on the left, and Caribbean Sea on the right. One of the world's best jogging routes - if you can stand the heat!!

  • View southwards along the peninsula. The 'lake' in the distance is a sunken volcano crater, which will become a luxury mega-yacht marina - if it ever gets built.

    View southwards along the peninsula. The 'lake' in the distance is a sunken volcano crater, which will become a luxury mega-yacht marina - if it ever gets built.

  • View northwards, with the capital Basseterre visible in the distance. The rocky enclosure to the right was to be a dolphinaria but waves washed over during a storm, the dolphins realised they could escape, and jumped the rocks, never to return!! Dolphins 1, humans 0 :):):) It remains about the best snorkelling route around - I regularly see giant rays and the odd marine turtle there.

    View northwards, with the capital Basseterre visible in the distance. The rocky enclosure to the right was to be a dolphinaria but waves washed over during a storm, the dolphins realised they could escape, and jumped the rocks, never to return!! Dolphins 1, humans 0 :):):) It remains about the best snorkelling route around - I regularly see giant rays and the odd marine turtle there.

  • St Eustatius is visible from the Northern tip of the island here.

    St Eustatius is visible from the Northern tip of the island here.

  • From the Southern tip you can get a car ferry across to the next island, Nevis. Or the 2.5 mile swim takes 1-4 hours depending on your skill (and the sharks...)

    From the Southern tip you can get a car ferry across to the next island, Nevis. Or the 2.5 mile swim takes 1-4 hours depending on your skill (and the sharks...)

  • In medieval times, the Caribbean islands were hotly fought over by the French and British, among others. A series of ruined stone forts dots the coast, and the waters are filled with wrecks. This is the biggest fort on St Kitts, Brimstone Hill. The arches to the right are the officers quarters - they had amazing sea views.

    In medieval times, the Caribbean islands were hotly fought over by the French and British, among others. A series of ruined stone forts dots the coast, and the waters are filled with wrecks. This is the biggest fort on St Kitts, Brimstone Hill. The arches to the right are the officers quarters - they had amazing sea views.

  • This fort was actually besieged and eventually fell to the French after an epic protracted struggle.

    This fort was actually besieged and eventually fell to the French after an epic protracted struggle.

  • Brimstone Hill ruins 3

    Brimstone Hill ruins 3

  • Brimstone Hill Officers quarters

    Brimstone Hill Officers quarters

  • Brimstone Hill Eddy

    Brimstone Hill Eddy

  • Brimstone Hill keep

    Brimstone Hill keep

  • Brimstone Hill cannon

    Brimstone Hill cannon

  • Now the flag of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis flies over the fort.

    Now the flag of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis flies over the fort.

  • Brimstone Hill bell

    Brimstone Hill bell

  • We also checked out the capital, Bassterre. This is the buzzing heart. It's named The Circus after London's Picadilly Circus. See the resemblance?!

    We also checked out the capital, Bassterre. This is the buzzing heart. It's named The Circus after London's Picadilly Circus. See the resemblance?!

  • The island has one main circular road that some of our faculty cycle around in about 2 hrs. This is one of the townships along the route.

    The island has one main circular road that some of our faculty cycle around in about 2 hrs. This is one of the townships along the route.

  • This is Timothy Beach and 'The Strip' of cafes along its front where our students also seem dedicated to the study of beach volleyball. When I returned in 2013 I rented a bungalow in one of the coves visible in the left of this shot.

    This is Timothy Beach and 'The Strip' of cafes along its front where our students also seem dedicated to the study of beach volleyball. When I returned in 2013 I rented a bungalow in one of the coves visible in the left of this shot.

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    View northwards, with the capital Basseterre visible in the distance. The rocky enclosure to the right was to be a dolphinaria but waves washed over during a storm, the dolphins realised they could escape, and jumped the rocks, never to return!! Dolphins 1, humans 0 :):):) It remains about the best snorkelling route around - I regularly see giant rays and the odd marine turtle there.
    St Eustatius is visible from the Northern tip of the island here.
    From the Southern tip you can get a car ferry across to the next island, Nevis. Or the 2.5 mile swim takes 1-4 hours depending on your skill (and the sharks...)